STAMFORD -- The Hispanic community has been growing rapidly in Fairfield County, and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center has long recognized the need for a broader and more culturally-appropriate outreach within the county's extensive Spanish-speaking communities, says Rachelle Kucera Mehra, the Stamford-based nonprofit's executive director.

"I think what we realized is that our community is emerging and evolving at a quicker clip, and we had to look at just how fast the Latina community was also growing," Kucera Mehra said.

This is why the DVCC recently launched the state's first Spanish-language website with a 24-hour service line for victims of abuse, she said. The site, EsperanzaCT, is a comprehensive, online service center and round-the-clock service phone line designated to provide Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence, according to DVCC officials.

"Immigrants are a part of our hidden community, and we needed to find a way to give them the information and help that they need," Kucera Mehra said.

Doris Urteaga, DVCC's coordinator for Spanish Speaking Services, said there certainly is a need for such a website and phone service.

"The idea to create the site came from the Latina community," Urteaga said. "We understand that Latina's have worries about domestic violence. They don't know where to go, who to speak to and what to do. With this site, they can have any questions answered, in Spanish, anytime of the day."

There are two ways people can have their concerns addressed and questions answered through EsperanzaCT, according to Kucera Mehra. Within 10 minutes, visitors to the interactive website can receive a response to their questions. Those questions and concerns can also be addressed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by Spanish-speaking counselors/advocates.

"EsperanzaCT is a 24-7 site," Kucera Mehra said. "Anyone can call or e-mail at 2 a.m. and ask a question. They may never take action on it, but the point is they have the information and the help they need if they ever need to or want to."

Urteaga believes EsperanzaCT will make a big difference.

"I have worked at the DVCC for nine years," she said. "It's clear to me that this service will make a difference in many Latina families' lives. A lot of them have a tight budget and don't have any way to get away from their situation. This service will give them the freedom to make the choice to leave if they have to for their safety and for the safety of their children. This is going to make a difference."

EsperanzaCT also provides a comprehensive directory of community services and links to other domestic violence crisis centers in the area, including court and legal services, group and individual counseling, temporary shelters, housing services, children's services, medical advocacy, professional adult trainings, multilingual services, prevention education and a 24-hour hotline, according to DVCC officials.

EsperanzaCT can be translated into any language by using the google converter, Kucera Mehra said.

"This is a practical service," she said. "It gives victims the strength to leave, to have a future. They can know that we are here for them. They don't have to wait, and they don't have to do anything on their own."